October 29th, 2024 by WCBC Radio

WCBC News held a candidates forum for those running for open seats on Cumberland City Council.  Two positions are open on the ballot and four citizens are running for those seats.  One question concerned the proposed skatepark and what other ideas they had to keep young people engaged.  

Candidate Simeon Younger said perhaps the money could have been better spent on a rec center area…

“Every team here – every sport that this community plays in – has at least two actively participating youth travel teams. They travel throughout the country to play their sport.  There’s no reason why those tournaments couldn’t be hosted here.”

Current Council member Lauri Marchini pointed to several improvements to Constitution Park…

 

“This administration has taken a lot of time and used ARPA funds to improve the pool, the amphitheater, the duck pond, and also the addition of a bike trail-walking trail. Just a few of the recent improvements. I really want to focus next on the dog park up there and perhaps pickle ball courts up there.”

Candidate D.A. Tinnen says he has a proposal for youth programs ready to go …

   

“I want an annual youth fund of $150k. I want this youth fund to be available to any youth program or any program in the city that provides services to the youth. Right now the city is not putting a dime, a penny into the youth – youth development.”

Candidate Brian Lepley says the park work has been good but the city needs to improve other areas, too…

   

“You know, let’s work with what we got. We have the Constitution Park – a great area, we just put a nice walking track up there. Update our ball fields, that’s huge – Constitution Park, Riverside, there’s other areas here that we can make it better.”